The New Providence Elementary School Learning Commons annual report summarizes the activities of the library media team for the 2016-2017 school year. Key events included two book fairs that raised funds for new books, monthly newsletters and social media updates, special reading programs throughout the year including a visit from a children's author, and weekly makerspace activities. The librarians also collaborated with teachers to integrate information literacy and technology into classroom lessons. Looking ahead, the report looks forward to the future of the elementary school and learning commons.

1. New Providence
Elementary School
Learning Commons
Annual Report
2016-2017
Valerie Byrd Fort and Sarah Sheely,
Librarians
Karen Gobbi,
Library Media Assistant
Brenda Burkett,
Digital Learning Coach
Vision and Mission
The Vision and Mission of the NPES Learning Commons is to ensure that students are effective users of ideas and information in print and digital
resources. We strive to provide materials and services appropriate to the curriculum of the school and to provide services that meet the
information and recreational needs of our learning community. We encourage the 4 C’s – Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Creativity, and
Communication. We provide opportunities for collaboration between the Learning Commons Team and the classroom teacher to integrate
information literacy and technology into classroom instruction. Most importantly, we strive to create a community of lifelong readers and learners.
Learning Commons Team Highlights for 2016 - 2017
 Monthly newsletters to NPES school
community via Smore
 Regular updates to Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr,
and Instagram promoting events and programs
in the Learning Commons
 Two Scholastic Book Fairs – October and May
 During both Book Fairs, we participated in All
for Books, which enabled us to purchase books
for Happy Wheels.
 As a member of the Wonder Den, Mrs. Byrd
Fort, helped with events such as STEM Safari
and Digital Learning Day
 Participated in Global Read Aloud in
October/November
 Participated in the Lexington County Blowfish
Baseball Reading Rewards Program
 Participated in Read with the Gamecocks
 Participated in Read Your Way to the Big Game
(November)
 Read 100 books in 100 minutes with
Kindergarten to celebrate the 100
th
day of
school
 Celebrated many special dates, such as
International Dot Day, Star Wars READS Day,
Read Across America Week, World Read Aloud
Day, and more!
 Hosted Robert Blackwell, intern from USC
 Celebrated Poem in Your Pocket Day in April
 Planned Reading Patrol in March
 Author/illustrator visit by Jarrett J. Krosoczka in
April
 Makerspace Moments every Tuesday and
Wednesday, highlighting a different activity
each month, including Legos and Spheros.
 Emily and Preston, Registered Therapy Dogs,
read with students once a week
 Lion Cub Story Time once a month
 5
th
grade students participated in Global
Cardboard Challenge in October
 K – 5
th
grade students participated in the South
Carolina Book Award Program
 5
th
grade Immigration Station
 5
th
grade Harlem Renaissance Café
 Hour of Code in December with Digital
Learning Coach
 Mrs. Byrd Fort participated in Family Code
Night at the Lexington Technology Center
 Mrs. Byrd Fort was the recipient of a Bright
Ideas grant from MCEC, which was used to
purchase Spheros for our Makerspace.
 Mrs. Byrd Fort presented at the Lexington 1
Instructional Fair
 Mrs. Byrd Fort and Mrs. Sheely taught over 500
classes (combined). Lessons included using
Destiny (library catalog), information literacy,
and more.
 “Can You Code It?” LEAD Time participated in
EdVenture’s Mini Maker Faire
 Participated in Meet @ Main in April
What’s Next?
I have very much enjoyed my time as the school librarian at NPES for the past nine years. It was a privilege and honor to open a
library in such an awesome school. I look forward to seeing what happens with New Providence Elementary School in the future!